Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
You couldn’t call it a surprise, but still Alaskans were sympathetic as they reacted to Lisa Murkowski’s decision to concede her campaign for re-election to a second full term.
“I’m bummed. She’s one of the best Senators I’ve had. And I’m said to see this turn of events,” Robin Phillips, a former volunteer and staffer for Murkowski from Anchorage, said. “But she always puts Alaska first. And I think that’s why I know she would be great at whatever she decided to do.”
“It’s not only a loss for our state. I think it’s a loss for our country. Because I feel that she was a young woman that really represented all the people, not just certain groups,” Susan Fischetti, from Eagle River, said. “She has Alaska in her heart, and I know that everything that she and her family did was for the good of our state. Never for herself.”
Senator Mark Begich said in a prepared statement that Murkowski served Alaskans with “energy and grace.” He said he was grateful for all the support she has given him for the two years they have served together.
The Republican Party is welcoming Joe Miller into their camp. Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich said he looks forward to working with Miller along with Don Young and Sean Parnell during this year’s General Election campaign.
And Democratic nominee for the Senate – Scott McAdams – called Senator Murkowski a “class act” who always put Alaska first. He – along with Begich – said they agreed with Murkowski on the majority of issues effecting Alaska.
Download Audio (MP3)
